Letter: Nurse helps patient

Kathy FurtadoSt. Augustine

Published Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Editor: This letter is written in gratitude to the staff of Dr. Marathe of South Park, St. Augustine. I am a patient of Dr. Marathe's and have been since I moved here some 31/2 years ago from Massachusetts. With this came numerous medical problems which would take up too much space.

This letter is to nurse B.J. Barnett, one of the many staff members of this medical facility.

I was waiting in the parking area for my scheduled appointment. It was about 3 in the afternoon and I was just a tad hungry, so I decided to finish the bag of pork rinds I had in my van. It was the end of the bag, so I just put the bag to my mouth and inhaled the last few crumbs. What happened next is just incredible. I began to choke.

In the car next to me was B.J. Barnett, speaking to another person, and I just had enough time to get out of my van and grab B.J., as she is normally called in the office.

I couldn't speak and gave the sign for scuba divers the sweeping of my right hand across my neck. She calmly asked if I was choking. I just nodded. This all happened in a matter of seconds. She turned me around and continued to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

I was almost passing out when this piece of pork rind came coughing out. I gratefully smiled, but continued to feel that something was stuck in my throat. She followed me inside the rest room to make sure I was all right.

This is what I feel is beyond the call of duty. She continued to make sure I was all right until I saw Dr. Marathe. I wanted to do something for her and when I can I will.

I would like to thank her in this editorial. I have met many angels since I moved here to my new home of St. Augustine. With many heartfelt thanks to you, BJ.